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 Gran Bahia Principe La Romana - San Pedro de Macoris  Location: Beach front - South Coast - San Pedro de Macoris - 45 min from Santo Domingo Airport 20 min from La Romana Airport - 2 hours from Punta Cana Airport All-inclusive - 400 rooms Description from resort website: All Inclusive 24 Hours - 1 Buffet restaurant, 4 a la carte restaurants (Italians, Mexican, Chinese and Seafood) - Pizzeria - 5 Bars including swim-up bar - Sports Bar - Mini-club and supervised children's activities Separate children's pool Children's Playground - Casino - Santana Beach Resort Hotel & Casino offers its guests special rates at the Guavaberry Golf course, which is located approximately 20 minute distance.  ~ Reviews posted on this page — 6  Don't forget to send Debbie your review ~ Map of Resort ~ Reader's Vacation Photos ~ 1,
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| Gran Bahia Principe La Romana | Alan & Janice M. ~ Langley, B.C. Canada |
My wife and I spent a week at the resort [March 20-27] and were pleasantly surprised.
We had read some of the negative reviews [after already booking the resort] and were afraid of vacationing there. If there is one flea or mosquito around it would find me for sure. Gratefully I / we didn't encounter flea, mosquito or wasp problems. Of the 3 insects we only saw a few wasps. The weather was pretty good, the resort spotless, the service good and the food suited us quite well. We didn't get sick or hear of anyone else getting sick. We thought the beach / bay was beautiful, although the ocean water wasn't crystal clear, it was passable. We swam in it every day, never used the beautiful pool. Our room was very nice and clean. Another nice circumstance ...... the resort wasn't over crowded. We could easily find lounges around the pool or thatched umbrellas on the beach. For our vacation we just wanted to relax, read, swim and enjoy the sun. We were not disappointed.
The only disappointment was the 2 1/2 hour van ride from the Punta Cana airport.
To see the poor living conditions, poverty and garbage throughout the journey was shocking. We hope they start to show some respect for their country and take measures before garbage and pollution destroy a lovely spot.
We would have no problem recommending the resort and would love to return.
| Gran Bahia Principe La Romana | Linda ~ Montreal, Quebec |
Just returned from this resort after one week (march 29 - April 5/08).
The resort is very impressive with a large lobby, running water fountains, gardens and clean spacious rooms.
The servers at the bars, restaurants, and other regular staff were friendly, polite and very helpful.The entertainment was very good, but sometimes the beat and music seemed repetitive after the first few evenings.The entertainers were really hard working and friendly much like the other regular staff.
The staff at the reception desk and the rep. for our Nolitours agency, were very casual and couldn't care less if we were there or not. The tour rep. Jose was rude and very difficult to deal with in general, and especially when we asked for 5 refunds for a trip that was booked. We had approximately 35 people in our group and from day one, someone was ill, from nausea to diarrhea to projectile vomiting. It was literally a person a day from whatever virus the resort harbors. A compromise was arranged for refunds through contacting the rep's supervisor, but Jose actually implied that our group coordinators were lying about the number of people having to drop out of the one scheduled event., due to illness. Jose was friendly only at the beginning of our stay when he didn't have to go out of his way for anyone.
The pool was extremely large and clean with plenty of lounge chairs for swimmers. The beach although very picturesque with palm trees and huts,had murky sea water.It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be after reading reviews, but it wasn't a clean, clear sea. I am now suspicious of the river running into this bay part of the resort's shore line, it could be waste material from the resort itself or nearby towns. This also may be a reason why so many visitors were ill.We didn't have problems with sand fleas (as stated in other reviews) but we did have some mosquito bites although the whole resort was fumigated regularly between 6pm and 7 pm. The fog machine did cover everything in sight including the lobby, pool, people's drinks, cafe con leche, etc. I closed my balcony doors as soon as I heard the noise of the fumigator. There were never any warnings and if any one had respiratory problems, the fog would be problematic.
The all inclusive drinks were good to bad depending on which bar was making the drinks; the bars near the pool and beach seemed to water down the drinks and this too can be a reason for the illness, whether the ice was potable or not.
The buffet food was plentiful but the staple food was just served in different ways. The meat, fish, poultry were cooked on the same grill which caused some people to be ill because of allergies. The a la carte restaurants that we tried were the Italian and Le Gourmet. Both were dreadful, slow service and terrible food, 3 out of 5 people left there food and later some who ate ended up vomiting. I wonder how sanitary the whole kitchen areas really are. The burger/pizza shack near the mini market area was a big hit!
I have travelled for many years from "roughing it" to "5 star resorts" and I have never seen the number of people ill as in this resort.
Two other issues caused visitors annoyance and this was the $5 us dollars a day for a safety deposit box and $10 us dollars an hour to keep your room until 6 pm on the day of our noon check out. Some senior citizens were ill on our departure day and it took our group coordinator hours to have the management finally supply a room for the old couple (80 and 84 yrs of age)so they could lie down and try to recover for their 4 hour plane ride home. The front desk staff's behaviour in this situation was truly unacceptable.
The weather was warm when sunny; with a chilly wind when clouded over,we had 2 days of heavy rain.Not many people were actually on the beach whether that was due to the weather or the murky water, I don't know.
In general the resort is lovely but doesn't rate the 5 star rating. The food was only okay except for the restaurants which was really bad. The murky bay is just not the right location for this resort unless a filtration system is somehow put in place. The electricity did go off every evening but I felt this was part of the resort's charm. I could not recommend this resort; especially because of the number of people becoming ill. It didn't seem to be "just Montezuma's revenge" type of sickness, it seemed to have a much more eerie impact.
| Gran Bahia Principe La Romana | Celine ~ Ile Perrot, Montreal, Quebec |
Arrival -
January 3 2008, We already had delay (2Hrs) got at the Hotel at 7H30am with a 2h30 of bus ride wirch was awful. greeting was not that great either.
Rooms -
did not get the room we we're suppose to get, my daughter had to sleep on the couch for a week, could not change rooms. then rooms are clean but we we're told to hide lot's of things cause some of the maids would leave with clothes and other personal stuff
Restaurants -
the food was always the same, not that great, my husband was realy sick, So bad we had to get the Doctor, but finally no Doctor was available.. no service there!!! my daughter too was sick. and for myself got sick on the way back home....the restaurant near the pool, the food was terrible. and there was suppose to be a BBQ bar on the beach and that was still under construction
Bars -
they would close earlier, the jakuzi bar was never open..the staff at the Bar would pass by everybody and not serve them. ot would take a long time to get a drink
Beach and Pools -
pool was very cold and full of buggs. but that was the only place you could swim since the beach is discusting, the water is brown and there is sand Fleas.. the people's legs we're just all bitten and swollen.
Grounds -
clean but run when you see the staff fumigate the grounds, that is realy bad to breath and it even get's in your room.
Activities -
the activities in the evening are so so.. some realy not for children
Tours -
we wanted to swim the daulphins, but that never happend since we we're 3 hours away from everything..and do not do shopping at the hotel or little shops in front. WAY TO EXPENSIVE
Conclusion -
I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS HOTEL TO NOBODY... YOU CAN GET NICER PLACES FOR CHEAPER.
| Gran Bahia Principe La Romana | Jo Ellen ~ California |
Arrival -
We were greeted at the airport the transfer company was waiting for us with sign, felt great to know that we didnt get left behind. Had a pleasent ride to resort a 45 min ride from Santa Domingo airport. Arrivied at the resort Late it was around 12:15 am and they were ready for us.
Rooms -
rooms were big and nice however our silder was broke and the maintance crew was there 1st thing in the morning to fix. Power goes out almost every night just for a very short time till the resorts genorator kicks in very fast but this happened almost every night while we were there it is a very common thing as to talking to other people from around the country know one really knows why??!Possible shorts in the system due to people trying to steal power!
Restaurants -
Food was good and there was always toooooo much. Never had a bad dish.
Bars -
Bars were there however I didnt drink any thing but diet sodas and coffee always there to help
Beach and Pools -
Never laid by the beach because you would see people all biten up with sand flee or noseeums so we stayed away from the beach. Water at the beach was very murkey due to the river flowing into water there. So we never swam in the water at the resort. Pool on the other hand was GREAT it is just what you see in the pictures always cleaning and testing the water, plenty of lounge chairs and lots of cabannas we spent or afternoon around the pool while in the Mornings we would be out on Dives. Other Beaches were beautiful and very BlueGrounds -
Absoutly beautiful well maintained, daily up keep at the Resort very clean. Nothing on the grounds.
Activities -
Typical all-inclusive type stuff going on from afternoon till around 1530 or some days later.
Tours -
We did the Santo Domingo tour it was nice but rush and crowded on the small bus. you really got to see alot. And learned some of the history Conclusion-
Yes, I would go back. We upgraded to the Golden room for the internet use and 2 times a day maid service with evening turn down service as well as room service it was worth the extra $15.00 a day per person. Day maids were great Evening ones didnt show up every evening
| Gran Bahia Principe La Romana | Sunosunosun |
GBP La Romana, La Romana, D.R.
Dec. 10-17, 2007.
Check-In
Check-In was done during the 35 minute bus ride from the airport; our golden club suite was ready when we arrived at the resort.
The Room
Our beach front suite was spacious, comfortable and immaculate; always made up early in the day with turn down service while we were out for dinner. After some controversial forums on another site as to whether or not gifts are a good idea I only took a few items. Our maid, who we always tipped with cash came to our room to say "gracias for the gift" after I had left her a Canadian ball cap. Other employees told me they preferred gifts to cash, maybe it depends on the area you go to. I always tipped with cash; the gifts were a little something extra from Canada.
The Food
The food was AI resort food; the buffet had a good selection and nobody went hungry. The ala carte dates, times and restaurants were pre-selected for us with the option of changing any that didn't fit our schedule. Long pants are a must for men at both the buffet and ala carte dinners.
The Drinks
The bartenders were quick to replace your drink and got to know what you were drinking. Two of the more memorable bartenders were Santiago in the lobby and Israel at the Pueblo Principe and disco bar. The alcohol, what can I say...grande Brugals and free flowing cervezas.
The Beach, the Bay and the Pool
The beach and the water were a big disappointment. I had heard stories but could not fathom the severity of it until I experienced it first hand.
The beach was situated in a tropical setting with plenty of tall palms, palapas and lounges however they have a serious problem with sand fleas, even the hotel admits to it. (Plan not to be on the beach.) People were bitten so badly that they were not only covered in bites but their ankles were red and swollen making it necessary to use medication to relieve the irritation.
Early one morning we saw two employees with masks on and blowers fumigating the sand. Not a place you would want to walk barefoot afterwards or allow your children to build sandcastles.
Little black flies were also bad at the beach restaurant and out by the Pueblo Principe. Everybody including the animation staff slapped and itched.
The beach water was murky, according to the Bahia staff the problem is from a river not far from the resort. Apparently when it rains and it rained while we were there as we caught the tail end of tropical storm Olga, mud is washed down the river which stirs up the bay. I was told that after spending a lot of money on the beach area Bahia Principe has more plans to improve the beach with a water feature (not sure what can be done about the bugs and water though).
There is a little man made island not far from the beach which is a perfect place to visit for an hour or so. There are plenty of palapas and lounges making it a wonderful place to relax. The view from your own private little island was picturesque. A boat runs every hour on the hour or you can kayak or take a pedal boat out to it. As there are no services on the island other than a cooler full of bottled water, you could pack some drinks and a snack.
The pool area was pristine; well laid out with plenty of loungers and shade for everyone.
The Grounds
The grounds around the resort were gorgeous and immaculately kept a profusion of palms, shrubs and flowers.
Without warning, shortly after 6 pm they fog the resort, be prepared to run. If it wasn't so bad it would've been funny; picture it people sitting in the lobby having drinks suddenly disappear into a thick fog.
The Staff
The staff were excellent; they quickly learned your name and were very attentive. Some of the more memorable were Yinga (I hope I spelled it correctly) from the Golden Club, Santiago at the lobby bar, Cipriani I believe was the beverage supervisor, Tony from the animation team and Eddy the photo guy who loves you for free. I believe Eddy is now working at Casa del Mar. I know the very basics in Spanish and we had absolutely no problems communicating.
In my opinion, GBP La Romana is a great hotel with wonderful staff however it is in a very bad location.
Personally would I go back? No.
Would I recommend it to friends or family? Again no.
I posted several pictures of the resort, the good and the bad, at http://family.webshots.com/album/562054762KJUDpB
| Gran Bahia Principe La Romana | Jessica |
Resort: Gran Bahia Principe La Romana (five star)
Where: La Romana, Dominican Republic
Arrival Date: Nov 26 2007 (only 26 days after the resort opened as a Bahia Principe Resort)
Arrival: Drive from the airport was about a 1/2 long and is an interesting tour of La Romana. Arrival at the resort was very smooth. Our room was not clean yet but a staff member came and found us before we even got off the bus and gave us a new room.
Accomodations: Very clean and comforable. All the rooms are suites with two double beds or one king. We had a king size bed. We had everything we could want, including bathrobe and slippers. On two different days, our mini-bar was not restocked and our washcloths disapeared one day and never came back and our bath mat left but returned after two days. We weren't bothered by any of these things but I'm sure we could've callled and had these issues resolved. There are ice machines under the stairs at each unit but none of them had ice in them yet. Also, the electricity went out for 30 secs or so at least once a day. We did not ask why and it didn't bother us at all. Just kind of funny.
Grounds: Very nice landscaping and very clean. No complaints.
Bars and Restuarants: No problems with either. The buffet always had excellent food, lots of choice, and varied from day to day. There is also a lunch buffet at the beach snack bar but it was not very good, just ok, but the food ordered off the menu was good. This was probably becuase it had not been sitting on a buffet line and was fresher. We went to two of the a la carte restuarants. The third was seafood and my husband is allergic to fish. Service at the Gourmet restuarant was absolutely terrible. Our reservation was for 9pm and we did not start on our main course until 10:15pm. It took 25 minutes for just the bread to arrive. Ten minutes after our plates had been cleared, no one had come back to take a dessert order, so we left. Maybe it was just a bad night. But the Italian restuarant was wonderful! Good food and good service. On a side note, both of us did have some stomach/digestion problems for a day or two but we just took it easy and recovered just fine.
Entertainment/Activities: We went kayaking on two days (the cove is very calm and easy to kayak in). There is a little island you can kayak to that has a beach and chairs. We watched the evening show a couple times and found it entertaining. There was also live music and dancing and we found the staff very talented and friendly.
Pool and Beach: Both were very clean and not crowded. There are more than enough beach chairs for everyone. Especcially at the beach! Nice long private beach with lots of palm trees. The beach and shoreline is raked daily and there is a net under the bouy line to keep unwanted sea creatures and debris out.
Tours: Went on two tours and recommend both of them. Crazy Wheels is well worth the money and lets you drive a dune buggy and an ATV through sugar cane plantations, countryside, and villages. Very interesting and fun trip. The 1/2 day snorkling takes you from the beach to Catalina Island. We snorkled a coral reef and saw lots of colourful fish and even jelly fish. Then we anchored at the shore and sat on the beach with rum or swam and snorkled some more. No coral here, but lots of very friendly fish that swim right along with you. On the way out to the island we stopped to watch a school of dolphins swim around our boat. On the way home we ran out of gas (probably from stopping to watch the dolphins) but nobody cared because we were on vacation so what's the rush? And we still had rum in the cooler. Also, we were stopped in a very large jelly fish group. They were all around the boat and you could see them glowing way down. Amazing to watch.
Conclusion: We had a great time and would recommend this resort to anyone. It is rated as a five star resort. There are no other resorts or towns in walking distance, which makes is a very private and quiet resort and leaves the beach feeling very much like your own private piece of paradise.
Last updated: April 26, 2008
